FoodSaver® Blog

The Basic Foods Everyone Should Have in their Cupboards, Fridge and Freezer

While we're all for experimenting with exciting new flavours and recipes here at FoodSaver, we believe there are certain foods that everyone should always have in their kitchen — so you can rustle up healthy family favourites that don't cost the earth.

Saving you from tiresome trips to the supermarket, and helping you avoid fatty and expensive takeaways, these simple, basic foods can be combined to create delicious, wholesome dishes right out of your cupboards, fridge and freezer.

Of course, diets, tastes and eating habits vary from household to household, so this is by no means a definitive list of the foods we should eat. But by keeping your kitchen stocked with a few essentials, you can feed your family fresh, healthy meals on a budget.

Here are the basic foods everyone should have in their cupboards, fridge and freezer.

What Should Be in Your Cupboards

Instead of cramming your kitchen cupboards with new and unusual ingredients which rarely see the light of day, concentrate on keeping them stocked with essentials that, when paired with other foods, make delicious, home cooked recipes from scratch.

Here are the ingredients that everyone should have in their food cupboards.

Dried Herbs and Spices:

Basil

Rosemary

Thyme

Parsley

Garlic powder

Cumin

Oregano

Nutmeg

Paprika

Chilli flakes

Cinnamon

Curry powder

Salt

Pepper

Oils, Sauces and Vinegars:

Stock cubes (meat or vegetarian)

Instant gravy granules

Extra virgin olive oil

Tomato puree

Red and white wine vinegar

Soy sauce

Balsamic vinegar

Vegetable oil

Tomato ketchup

Brown sauce

Whole grain mustard

Curry paste

Worcestershire sauce

Pesto

Garlic puree

Flour and curry paste are among the items you should have in your cupboard.

What Should Be in Your Fridge

Fridges form the cornerstone of any self-respecting kitchen, helping us keep perishables and leftovers fresh and tasty. For quick, healthy and nutritious meals, fill your fridge with the following short-shelf-life mainstays.

Fruit, Salad and Vegetables:

Tomatoes

Peppers

Chilli

Salad leaves (lettuce, rocket, spinach)

Potatoes (normal, sweet)

Onions (white, red, spring)

Carrots

Fruit (apples, oranges)

Garlic

Mushrooms

Cauliflower

Olives

Dairy:

Cheese (cheddar, hard cheese, soft cheese, cottage cheese)

Milk

Butter

Yoghurt

Soured cream

Stock your fridge with yoghurt, garlic and other items.

Other perishables:

Eggs

Margarine

Fresh herbs

Fresh meat (chicken breasts, pork chops, minced beef)

Fresh fish (salmon, tuna, prawns)

Cooked meats (chicken, ham)

Sauces:

Dijon mustard

Peanut butter

Mayonnaise

Pure maple syrup

Soy sauce (can be kept in the cupboard, but refrigerating will preserve the flavour)

Sriracha sauce

What Should Be in Your Freezer

The freezer has long been a godsend of the modern kitchen, allowing keen cooks to preserve individual ingredients alongside their favourite dishes and leftovers. When the kids are hungry and you're all but resigned to a trip to the shops, the freezer can come to your rescue — providing a lifeline of frozen snacks and meals that can be cooked up in a jiff.

Here are the foods you should always have in the freezer:

Vegetables:

Peas

Mixed vegetables

Sliced mushrooms

Sliced peppers

Cauliflower and broccoli florets

Meat:

Minced beef

Chicken breasts

Diced chicken pieces

Minced turkey

Pork loin chops

Keep chicken breasts, peas, sliced peppers and more in your freezer.

Fish:

Frozen fish fillets

Prawns

Battered fish fillets

Fish fingers

Other:

Ready rolled short crust pastry

Pizza bases

Bread (loaf, wraps, pitta)

Nuts (freezing nuts stops their natural oils from spoiling)

Cheddar cheese (preserves the flavour and prevents spoiling)

Cooked rice

Ripe bananas (perfect for smoothies)

Double-ups, prepared meals and leftovers

Frozen fruits (again, perfect for smoothies, or breakfast)

If you've enjoyed reading this list, but think we're missing a few kitchen essentials, we'd love to know the sort of everyday foods you keep in your cupboards, fridge and freezer — so let us know on the FoodSaver Facebook page.

"No matter what essentials you keep in your kitchen, you can preserve meals and ingredients x5 longer with FoodSaver. Our range of innovative vacuum sealers help preserve the freshness of your food, saving you money and making sure you can feed your family healthy and delicious meals every day. For more information, visit the FoodSaver homepage.

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